Staying up on Laylat al-Qadr and the ruling on celebrating it

Question

How should we spend the night of Laylat al-Qadr? Is it by praying, reading Qur’aan and the Seerah (Prophet’s biography), listening to sermons and lessons and celebrating that in the mosque?.

Answer

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

The Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to strive hard in
worship during the last ten nights of Ramadaan as he did not do at other
times, praying and reading Qur’aan. Al-Bukhaari and Muslim narrated from
‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that when the last ten days of
Ramadaan began, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
would stay up at night, wake his family and tie his lower garment tight.
According to Ahmad and Muslim: he would strive hard in worship during the
last ten nights of Ramadaan as he did not do at other times.

Secondly:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
urged us to spend the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in
the hope of reward. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased
with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and
in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.”

This was narrated by the group apart from Ibn Maajah. This
hadeeth indicates that it is prescribed to stay up and spend this night in
prayer.

Thirdly:

One of the best du’aa’s that can be recited on Laylat al-Qadr
is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
taught ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). It was narrated by
al-Tirmidhi, who classed it as saheeh, that ‘Aa’ishah said: I said: “O
Messenger of Allaah, If I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I
say?” He said: “Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’fu
‘anni (O Allaah, You are All-Forgiving and You love forgiveness so
forgive me).”

Fourthly:

With regard to singling out one night of Ramadaan and
regarding that as Laylat al-Qadr, this requires evidence. But the
odd-numbered nights during the last ten nights are more likely than others,
and the night of the twenty-seventh is more likely to be Laylat al-Qadr,
because of the ahaadeeth which indicate that.

Fifthly:

With regard to bid’ah (innovation), it is not permissible
either in Ramadaan or at other times. It was proven that the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever
innovates anything in this matter of ours [Islam] that is not part of it
will have it rejected.” And he said: “Whoever does any action that is not
part of this matter of ours will have it rejected.”

With regard to the celebrations that are held on some nights
of Ramadaan, we know of no basis for that. The best guidance is the guidance
of Muhammad and the worst of matters are those which are innovated.

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.